Fish. A part of our heritage

Transcription

1 Fish 2015 A part of our heritage

2 Canada s survey on recreational fishing Be part of it and WIN! WIN one of two fishing rod packages: Fly Rod Package Spinning Rod & Reel Package or one of fifteen 2016 New Brunswick Fishing Licences Every five years a national survey is carried out to assess angling activity and to report on the economic and social importance of recreational fishing in Canada. New Brunswick anglers who take a few minutes to complete the on-line survey at the end of the 2015 fishing season are eligible to WIN! Go to to participate and to see results from previous surveys. Don t have on-line access? You can still provide useful catch data by completing and submitting the postage paid card found in the center of this book. A summary of fishing related information is available on DNR s website:

3 A Message from Minister Denis Landry Congratulations on the purchase of your 2015 New Brunswick angling licence. We are sure that you will find fishing in our beautiful province rewarding. New Brunswick boasts 2,500 lakes and 60,000 kilometres of rivers, brooks and streams and offers excellent angling opportunities with a variety of fish species. Angling is one of the best and most affordable ways for families to come together, and is a great way to teach future generations about the importance of our environment and the great outdoors. Through the purchase of licenses, anglers, also support conservation, stocking and management programs in New Brunswick and are integral to the protection of our fish resources. Again this year, we will provide an opportunity for residents and non-residents to fish without a license or guide through Fish New Brunswick Days (June 6-7). This is a great way for people to discover the fun of fishing in our waters and has resulted in many people becoming life-long anglers. I encourage you to participate in the National Survey of Recreation Fishing in Canada. The survey, conducted every five years, relies on your input to provide important information about the recreational fisheries in Canada s provinces and territories. Angler surveys also provide valuable data to fisheries managers on fish populations throughout the province and help support decisions associated with our fisheries. The inside cover of this book provides information about the survey and how you can contribute. Please read this summary, follow the regulations, and have a safe, enjoyable and successful fishing season. Tight lines! Fish 2015 A part of our heritage Province of New Brunswick PO 6000, Fredericton NB E3B 5H ISBN (print edition) ISBN (PDF: English) ISBN (PDF: French) Printed in New Brunswick IMPORTANT: This is not a legal document. This book provides a brief summary of major angling regulations and licence information for the 2015 season. Regulations are subject to change at any time. This book does not cover all the laws contained in federal and provincial acts and regulations. For additional information regarding season dates, bag limits, possession limits, size limits or gear restrictions, contact your local Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Table of Contents Definitions... 2 How to Use This Summary... 3 New for Activities Not Allowed While Angling... 5 Angling Licences and Fees... 6 Sea-Run Atlantic Salmon Information... 7 Information for Non-Residents... 8 DNR Fish Stocking Program... 9 Fish New Brunswick Days Recreational Fishery Areas (RFA) Restigouche Chaleur Miramichi Southeast...28 Inner Bay of Fundy...30 Lower Saint John...33 Southwest...36 Upper Saint John...39 Additional Information...43 Marine Species and Shellfish...43 CROWN RESERVE WATERS

4 Definitions Angling: Fishing with a line to which up to three hooks are attached, held in the hand or attached to a rod. Artificial Fly: A single hook, a double hook or two single hooks dressed with materials likely to attract fish, with no weight, spinning device or natural bait attached. Boundary Waters: Waters forming the boundary between the State of Maine and/or the Province of Quebec and the Province of New Brunswick. Bag Limits: Except for sea-run Atlantic salmon, the possession limit for a particular species is the same as the daily bag limit. Fly Fishing: To cast upon the water and retrieve in the usual and ordinary manner an unbaited, unweighted artificial fly attached to a line to which no weight has been added. Trolling with artificial flies is permitted. Fly Fishing Only Waters (Scheduled): Waters where fly fishing is the only method of angling permitted. Guide Required Waters: Waters deemed to be angled mainly for Atlantic Salmon. Non-Residents require a guide while angling for any species on these waters after the designated date. Hook: A single, double or treble hook, with or without barbs, on one shank or shaft. Jigging: Manipulating a hook(s) to foul-hook a fish in any part of its body instead of its mouth. Foul-hooked fish are those fish hooked accidentally in any part of the body except the mouth, which must be released unharmed immediately. Length Measurements: Fork length (FL) is measured from the tip of the nose to the fork of the tail used when measuring Atlantic salmon or landlocked salmon. Total length (TL) is measured from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail (tips of the tail squeezed together) used when measuring all other fish. Live Release: Capture and immediate release of live fish. Main Restigouche River: The main stem of the Restigouche River, from the junction with the Little Restigouche River and Kedgwick River, downstream to the J.C. Van Horne Bridge. Main Southwest Miramichi River: The main stem of the Southwest Miramichi River, from the forks at Juniper, downstream to the junction with the Northwest Miramichi River. Non-Sport Fish Seasons: Legal access to non-sport fish species is governed by the season for sport fish on all waters. If all sport fish seasons on a particular water are closed, then the non-sport fish season is also closed. Resident: a) A person who has resided in the province for a period of six months immediately prior to making an application for a licence. b) A person who has resided in the province for a period of two weeks immediately prior to making an application for a licence, where that person was required to take up residence in the province as a result of being transferred to the province by their employer. c) A person who is taking educational training of a threemonth minimum duration and has been residing in the province for a two-week period immediately prior to making an application for a licence. d) A person who resided in the province for a period of six months immediately prior to taking educational training outside the province. e) A person who has resided in the province for the purpose of employment for an aggregate period of six months within the last 12 months. f) A person who was born in the province and who owns real property in the province. Set Line: A fishing line that is not attached to a rod, held in the hand or closely attended. Sport Fish: Sea-run Atlantic salmon, landlocked salmon, brook trout, brown trout, lake trout, rainbow trout, arctic char, and smallmouth bass. Trolling: Angling with a hook(s) and line that is drawn through the water by a watercraft propelled by mechanical or manual means. 2

5 How to Use This Summary 1. Where: See the map below and turn to the page of the Recreational Fishery Area (RFA) you will be fishing in. 2. Look under Fly Fishing Only Waters: Check if the water you want to fish is fly fishing only. 3. Look under Waters Closed to Angling: Make sure the water where you want to fish is open. 4. What species: Decide which species you want to fish. 5. Look under the species name: For season, bag limit, size limit and exceptions. Recreational Fishery Areas (RFAs) 1 Restigouche page 14 2 Chaleur page 18 3 Miramichi page 21 4 Southeast page 28 5 Inner Bay of Fundy page 30 6 Lower Saint John page 33 7 Southwest page 36 8 Upper Saint John page 39 3

6 New for 2015 At the time this book was printed, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) could not confirm changes to Atlantic salmon angling for 2015 (quota reductions and barbless fly requirement). Please consult DFO s website Gulf/FAM/Recreational-Fisheries or the online version of this book at for updates. Barbless artificial flies are now required on all fly-fishing waters of the Northwest Miramichi River system. Live release measures for Atlantic salmon on the Northwest Miramichi River system will be for the entire season in See pages The South Branch of the Main Southwest Miramichi River upstream from the footbridge behind the Juniper Lumber Mill to the remnants of the old Flemming Gibson Dam is no longer closed after April 30. The river closures at the mouth of Indiantown Brook (Quarryville Bridge) and the mouth of Wilson Brook (Main Southwest Miramichi) and the mouth of Sutherland Brook (Northwest Miramichi) are now in effect starting July 1 (see page 23). Saint John River from the highway bridge at Grafton to the railway bridge at Upper Woodstock is now closed after June 30 (see page 33). Striped bass seasons, bag limits, and gear restrictions in RFAs 1, 2, 3, and 4 are to be determined. Please consult DFO s website for further details. The tidal waters upstream of Centennial Bridge on the Miramichi River will be closed to angling activities following the sport fish season on October 31 and will remain closed until the start of the angling season the following year on April 15. The tidal waters of the following rivers in RFA 2 will be closed to angling activities starting on March 20 until the start of the angling season on April 15 (May 1 on Nepisiguit); Bass River, Bathurst Harbour (Little, Middle and Tetagouche Rivers), Millstream River, Nigadoo River, Elmtree River, Jacket River, Benjamin River, Charlo River and Eel River. Proposed for 2016 Scheduling of the Taxis River to barbless artificial fly from April 15 to April 30. Fish & Wildlife e-licensing What is it? e-licensing is an electronic web-based system that enables residents and non-residents to purchase licences and apply for draws online for angling, hunting and trapping. When is it available? e-licensing is available in Spring 2015 for: angling licences; and applications to the resident Moose Draw. To be added in 2016: all hunting, trapping licences and other draws. Licences and draw applications not available through e-licensing at this time will be sold as per usual. Where is it offered? Online Access: Visit You will need access to a computer, internet, and printer as well as a credit or debit card. Participating vendors Service New Brunswick (SNB) centres 4 What s New? One-time Registration Your information such as your name, address and contact information will be collected once when you first access e-licensing. You can do this in advance or before you purchase a licence. At this time you will be assigned an Outdoors Card number. This number will always be displayed on your licence. New Brunswick Residents New Brunswick residents must have a valid New Brunswick Driver s Licence number or New Brunswick Photo Identification card number (both issued by SNB) to prove their New Brunswick residency. If you have neither of the above, you can visit any SNB centre to show other proof of residency. Conservation Education Card If you have a Conservation Education Card, this number can be entered in e-licensing to link your profile with any previous training you have taken in the province, allowing you to buy licences that require specific training.

7 Outdoors Card Your new Outdoors Card number will be printed on a card that will be sent to you after registration. The card can be used anytime when you wish to access e-licensing or to identify yourself at a vendor or SNB centre. Licence Design All licences bought in e-licensing will be printed on a standard 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper. If you purchase multiple licences, they will all appear on the same sheet. This new licence design allows easy and accessible printing. Tag Design A NEW salmon tag will be used in The tags have two parts consisting of an adhesive label and a metal wire. Tagging instructions are found on the back of the adhesive label. In 2016, once hunting and trapping licences are included in e-licensing, this tag design will be used for salmon, bear, moose and deer.. It s necessary to activate tags in e-licensing when buying a licence which require tag(s). This is done by entering a tag number in e-licensing. The tag number will be displayed next to the relevant licence. Where can I get the tags? Tags are available at vendor locations, SNB centres and DNR offices free of charge. For more information, please contact the Department of Natural Resources: (506) dnr_mrnweb@gnb.ca Activities Not Allowed While Angling (Applies to the open water season on inland waters) Sport fish may not be caught by means other than angling. No person shall angle with more than one fishing line to which more than three hooks are attached. No person shall use a set-line for fishing in inland waters. No person shall angle for sport fish during the period beginning two hours after sunset and ending two hours before sunrise (see exception, page 15). No person shall fish for sea-run Atlantic salmon with an artificial fly that has more than two hooks. No person shall fish with the aid of an artificial light or light from a fire. No person shall use or possess live fish (including crayfish) as bait in inland waters. Exception: On international boundary waters (between Maine and New Brunswick), live fish may be used as bait provided they are obtained from the water being fished and are not on the prohibited list (see below). On international boundary waters (between Maine and New Brunswick), tidal waters and all inland waters, dead fish can be used as bait, as long as they are not on the prohibited list (see below). The use of the following fish as live or dead bait is prohibited: bass, bullhead, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch, other spiny fin-rayed fish, pickerel, muskellunge, goldfish or other carp. Fishing with bait or lures is not permitted on Crown Reserve Waters. Artificial flies must be used while fishing these waters. Fishing and/or assisting another angler to fish from a bridge is not permitted. Fishing is not permitted within 22.8 m (25 yards) downstream from the lower entrance to any fish-way, canal, obstacle or leap. Fishing is not permitted within a 100 m radius of any facility operated by or on behalf of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans or the Province for the purposes of counting, passage or rearing of fish. Gaffs cannot be used to land sport fish. Jigging devices or spears are not permitted within 15 metres of inland waters. Snares or bows and arrows are not permitted in inland waters or within 15 metres of inland waters unless the person is lawfully hunting or trapping. Fishing by jigging, or assisting in landing fish that have been caught by jigging in inland waters is not permitted. 5

8 Angling Licences and Fees Licences are available at all Service New Brunswick centres, and from authorized vendors. Contact your local DNR office to find the location nearest you (see page 43). Type Class Period Salmon Tags Total Cost* Resident: Atlantic Salmon (Includes all other fish) All fish except Atlantic Salmon Non-Resident: Atlantic Salmon (Includes all other fish) All fish except Atlantic Salmon Retention (with tags): 7 (Under 65 years of age) Season 4 $ (10 15 years of age / 65 or over) Season 4 $22.60 Live Release (salmon only): 16 (Under 65 years of age) Season 0 $ (10 15 years of age / 65 or over) Season 0 $ Season 0 $ (65 years of age or over) Season 0 $16.95 Retention (with tags): 1 Season 4 $ Day ** 4 $ Day ** 2 $59.89 Live Release: 13 Season 0 $ Day ** 0 $ Day ** 0 $ Season 0 $ Day ** 0 $ Day ** 0 $33.90 * Total cost includes stocking fee, conservation fee and applicable tax. ** Valid only for consecutive calendar days. For example: June 30, July 1, July 2. One day angling adventures may be available to resident and non-resident anglers from specific operators and outfitters. For more information, see Licence Requirements Angling licences must be properly signed and carried at all times while fishing. Angling licences are not required in tidal waters, except if Atlantic salmon are retained. New Brunswick tidal water boundaries are described at Anglers can only purchase one Class 1, 7, or 8 licence per season. Anglers 16 years of age and older require a provincial licence while angling in inland waters. An angling licence does not authorize the holder to purchase, sell or barter sport fish. 6

9 Anglers under the age of 16 Anglers, who are under 16 and do not have an Atlantic salmon licence, may fish for Atlantic salmon only when accompanied by an angler with a valid salmon licence. The licence holder must include the child s catch in his/her daily catch limit. Resident anglers 10 to 15 years old must buy an Atlantic salmon licence if they want their own bag limit. Anglers under the age of 16 who do not wish to fish for salmon do not require an angling licence. These anglers have their own daily bag limit. Regular angling licences do not entitle anglers to fish on Crown Reserve Waters. For information on youth anglers on Crown Reserve waters, see page Sea-Run Atlantic Salmon Information See individual Recreational Fishery Area (RFA) for detailed Atlantic salmon information. Size Restrictions Only grilse (Atlantic salmon) that are greater than or equal to 35 cm but less than 63 cm (fork length) may be retained. Tagging No person shall be in possession of an Atlantic salmon (grilse) that is not properly tagged. Where a grilse is caught by angling and retained, the person who hooked the grilse, whether or not that person landed the grilse, shall tag it. (See Guide I exemption, page 8) Angling Methods No person shall fish for sea-run Atlantic salmon except by angling with an artificial fly. Anglers may cast or troll using unweighted artificial flies that have single or double hooks. Treble hooks are not permitted. Non-Resident Requirement Non-resident anglers require a licensed guide when fishing for any species on Guide Required Waters after the designated date (see pages 8-9). Daily Limits Once their bag or daily live release limit is reached, anglers must stop fishing sea-run Atlantic salmon for the day. How to tag a salmon Maximum size limit: less than 63 cm (fork length) 1. Insert wire under gills and through mouth. 2. Peel back liner of tag and place wire on half of sticky side. 3. Fold tag over ends of wire and apply pressure. 7

10 Information for Non-Residents Non-resident anglers require a licensed guide when fishing for sea-run Atlantic salmon, or when angling for any species on Guide Required Waters after the designated date. Non-residents may fish without a guide on Fish New Brunswick Days but require an appropriate licence if sea-run Atlantic salmon, or landlocked salmon (greater than 48 cm and less than 63 cm) are retained. A professional guide (Guide I) is permitted to angle and hook a salmon on behalf of his or her licensed client. The client is considered to have hooked the salmon and may tag the fish, provided it is of legal length. Professional guides (Guide I) and their clients cannot fish at the same time. Non-residents may purchase any number or combination of Class 2 or Class 3 licences as long as the total number of tags does not exceed four per year. Guide Required Waters Non-resident anglers must be accompanied by a licensed New Brunswick guide when fishing these waters after the specified dates. River Guide Required Beginning Guide Required Stretch Restigouche RFA Kedgwick May 15 Entire river Little Main Restigouche May 15 Entire river (Note: a portion of this river is restricted to residents only see page 14) Northwest Upsalquitch May 15 Mouth upstream to the closed waters Patapedia May 15 Entire river Restigouche May 1 From line drawn from Copeland Brook (NB) to Ruisseau du Moulin (Quebec) upstream to Little Main Restigouche Southeast Upsalquitch May 15 Entire river Upsalquitch May 15 Entire river Chaleur RFA Big Tracadie April 15 Murchie Bridge to St. Sauveur road Jacquet July 1 Route 11 bridge to Lower McNair Brook Nepisiguit April 15 The Consolidated Bathurst Pumping Station Dam to Nepisiguit Falls Tetagouche April 15 From and including Minnie s Pool upstream to Tetagouche Falls Miramichi RFA Bartholomew June 1 Mouth upstream to forks of North & South branches Bartibog April 15 Egans Quarry upstream to Green Brook Big Sevogle April 15 Entire river including North & South branches Cains April 15 Mouth upstream to North Cains River Dungarvon April 15 Mouth upstream to western limit of timber block 222 (N , W ) Little Southwest Miramichi April 15 Upstream of the Oxbow on the north boundary line of the Red Bank Indian Reserve No. 7 Lower North Branch Little Southwest Miramichi April 15 Entire river 8

11 River Guide Required Beginning Guide Required Stretch Miramichi RFA (continued) Main Southwest Miramichi April 15 A line drawn from map grid to (the Old Squaw Rock above the mouth of the Renous River) upstream to junction of North and South Branches North Branch Renous April 15 Mouth upstream to North Renous Lake North Branch Southwest Miramichi April 15 Forks upstream to Beadle Brook Northwest Miramichi April 15 From and including Scott s Rapid Pool upstream to the forks Renous April 15 Entire river upstream of the Route 8 bridge South Branch Southwest Miramichi April 15 Forks upstream to Flemming Gibson Dam at Juniper South Branch Renous April 15 Mouth upstream to forks with Little Renous River Tabusintac April 15 Head of Tide Island upstream to Route 8 bridge Taxis July 1 Mouth upstream to Highway 625 crossing Tomogonops June 15 Mouth upstream to South Branch DNR Fish Stocking Program The Department of Natural Resources Fish Stocking Program aims to enhance recreational angling opportunities for brook trout and landlocked salmon by stocking these species annually in a number of lakes throughout the province. Stocking is carried out in the spring or fall. Fall stocked fish (f) generally range in size from 10cm to 15cm (4 to 6 ) and spring stocked fish (s) range from 15cm to 25cm (6 to 10 ). The table on the next page provides details about the fish stocked in For more information, or a list of previous years stockings, please visit our website: 9

12 NOTE: Stocking amounts were below target in spring 2014 due to unforeseen circumstances at the growers facilities during previous years. Brook Trout Stocking 2014 RFA County Lake/Pond, Amount stocked (Season stocked) 1 Restigouche Eightmile 3550 (f) Gounamitz 1910 (f) McDougall 2100 (f) Island 1940 (s) Gloucester Bass River Lake 6300 (f) Pabineau 3930 (f) Teagues 9050 (f) Antinouri 6870 (f) Belledune 2820 (s) Head 480 (f) 2 Indian 2200 (f) Lower Tetagouche 4810 (f) Middle Tetagouche 2410 (f) Restigouche Murray 3760 (f) Popelogan 1170 (f) Tongue 1120 (f) Upper Tetagouche 2960 (f) 3 Northumberland Blind 840 (f) Chatham Res (s) Estey 470 (f) First Bear 1160 (f) North 650 (f) Second Bear 470 (f) Arnold 1370 (s) Fisher 2000 (s) Lily 2000 (s) Saint John 5 Taylor 1200 (s) Theobald 1550 (s) Westmorland Morice 2990 (s) Carleton Nashwaak 2110 (s) 6 Kings Pickett 990 (s) York Killarney 2000 (s) Cundy 790 (s) Dwellys 900 (s) Great 1100 (s) 7 Charlotte Sparks 1940 (s) Little 500 (s) Long 600 (s) Middle Dam 570 (s) Ormond 8320 (f) Round 170 (s) Sandy Cove 250 (s) Madawaska Baker 4480 (s) Thompson 1000 (s) Unique (f) 8 Restigouche Nictau 2400 (s) Victoria Roulston 860 (s) Landlocked Salmon Stocking 2014 RFA County Lake/Pond, Amount stocked (Season stocked) 2 Restigouche Middle Tetagouche 70 (s) Upper Tetagouche 80 (s) 5 Saint John Loch Lomond 2000 (s) 6 Queens Grand (s) Grand 7500* (f) York Oromocto 5010 (s) Second Eel 1000 (s) Yoho 280 (s) Charlotte Clear 150 (s) East Long 150 (s) 7 Queens Queens 750 (s) York Harvey 1630 (s) Magaguadavic 180** (f) Skiff 1400 (s) Baker 1400 (s) Baker 14100* (f) Baker 170** (f) Madawaska Unique 280 (s) 8 Northumberland Serpentine 1230 (s) Restigouche Nictau 500 (s) * surplus parr ** adult DNR Fish Stocking Program Assessment Before being stocked, a fin is clipped on each fish so it can be distinguished from wild fish. If you catch a brook trout or landlocked salmon with a fin clip please add a note on your angler survey (see insert) indicating which fin was clipped along with the length, date and location (waterbody) of your catch. VENTRAL FINS ADIPOSE FIN (AD) This information is important in helping us evaluate DNR s fish stocking program. PLEASE REPORT YOUR CATCH! 10

13 Protect Our Waters ILLEGAL! Unauthorized transfer or stocking of any fish What is the problem? Introduced species can prey on resident fish species and compete for food and space. New species disrupt natural ecosystems. They can introduce diseases and parasites to native fish. What can you do? Do not stock or move fish. It is illegal to transfer or stock any fish without authorization. Be aware of bait regulations. It is illegal to use live fish as bait in most New Brunswick waters. Where use of live bait is legal, use bait from the body of water you are fishing. Never release aquarium or pond fish into natural waters. For more information: To report illegal fish stocking activity, please call: Invasive species: What to do New Brunswick waters are being threatened by invasive plants and animals. Once established, invasive species are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to control or eradicate. They disrupt natural ecosystems and are one of the leading causes of native species becoming threatened or endangered. Every time you move from one body of water to another, aquatic invasive species may travel with you. You can help stop them! When enjoying recreational activities like boating and fishing, please remember to do the following: Inspect and remove all visible aquatic plants, animals and mud from canoes, kayaks, jet skis, boats, motors, trailers and equipment Drain all the water from your boat, including the live well, bilge, and motor Wash watercraft with high-pressure or hot water or dry for 5 days Check, clean, and dry all personal gear, including waders, fishing lines and lures. Dispose of unused bait responsibly Never release plants, fish or other animals into a body of water unless they came out of that water! 11

14 Alert! Largemouth bass have recently been caught in Grand Falls Flowage (St. Croix River) and the Meduxnekeag River at Woodstock (Saint John River). Their presence is believed to be due to illegal introductions. The New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources encourages all anglers that catch a largemouth bass of any size to keep it and deliver it to the nearest DNR Office. The continued presence of largemouth bass may have a negative impact on existing fish species and their fisheries. Identification Tips Largemouth bass: Smallmouth bass: 1 Mouth terminates behind the eye 1 Mouth terminates inline with or slightly ahead of the eye 2 Separation between spiny and soft rays on dorsal fin 2 No separation between spiny and soft rays on dorsal fin 3 Dark horizontal bar 3 Dark vertical patches LARGEMOUTH BASS SMALLMOUTH BASS Tips on Releasing Fish Consider using artificial lures and barbless hooks. Treble hooks and flies will reduce hooking mortality in young fish. Retrieve your catch quickly. Use appropriate size tackle to quickly land the fish or break off large fish. Release the fish immediately by gently placing it in calm water. Keep your fingers out of the gills and eyes. Avoid squeezing the fish. Use both hands to evenly support the fish s weight. Keep the fish in the water as much as possible. Cut the line and leave deeply embedded or swallowed hooks in the fish. A fish that can be legally kept should not be released if it is bleeding heavily. Its chance of surviving is very low. 12

15 Fish New Brunswick Days June 6 & Anglers may fish for all species without purchasing a licence. However, anglers wishing to retain Atlantic salmon require a licence. Non-Residents may fish without a guide on these days. Individuals whose angling privileges have been revoked cannot fish anywhere in the province, including on Fish New Brunswick Days. All current bag limits, closures and other restrictions are still in effect on Fish New Brunswick Days. Access to private waters, Crown Reserve waters and Crown Leases is still restricted. 13

16 Restigouche Recreational Fishery Area Boundary Description: All lakes, rivers and streams of the Restigouche River and tributaries upstream of the J.C. Van Horne Bridge at Campbellton. Attention anglers: The Restigouche River main stem is primarily private or leased waters. Permission from the owner/lessee is required to angle on these waters. Little Main Restigouche River from the junction of the Kedgwick River upstream to, but not including, the pool at the mouth of Jardine Brook is restricted to Resident anglers only. Fly Fishing Only Waters Excludes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River Beginning Stretch Gounamitz July 1 Gounamitz river upstream to the junction of the North and West Branches Jardine Brook, Restigouche County Jardine Brook, Victoria County July 1 August 1 Jardine Brook, Restigouche County, from its junction with the Little Main Restigouche River upstream to the Restigouche-Victoria County boundary line (Grid Reference ) Jardine Brook, Victoria County, from the Restigouche-Victoria County boundary line (Grid Reference ) upstream to the CN railway bridge Kedgwick May 1 Kedgwick River including North and South Branches Little Main Restigouche May 15 Little Main Restigouche River from a line drawn from Grid Reference to Grid Reference (its mouth at the junction with the Main Restigouche River and the Kedgwick River) upstream to Cedar Brook at Grid Reference Northwest Upsalquitch May 1 Northwest Upsalquitch River upstream to Nine Mile Brook (Grid Reference ) Patapedia June 1 Patapedia River, that portion lying within the province of New Brunswick Restigouche May 15 Restigouche River, from the junction with the Kedgwick River downstream to the junction with the Patapedia River Restigouche April 15 Restigouche River, from the junction with the Patapedia River downstream to the Matapedia CN Railway Bridge Restigouche May 15 Restigouche River from the Matapedia CN Railway Bridge to a line drawn from Copeland Brook (NB) to Ruisseau du Moulin (Québec) Southeast Upsalquitch May 1 Southeast Upsalquitch upstream to the first unnamed pool (Grid Reference ) above Boar s Head Pool Upsalquitch May 1 Upsalquitch River 14

17 Waters Closed to Angling Water Stretch Closed Northwest Upsalquitch Northwest Upsalquitch River above Nine Mile Brook (grid Reference Year round River ), not including tributaries. Southeast Upsalquitch River Southeast Upsalquitch River from and including the unnamed pool (Grid Reference ) above Boars Head Pool, upstream to Simpson s Field Falls, not including tributaries. Year round Angling rules for boundary waters with Quebec Patapedia River and the Main Restigouche River downstream from the Patapedia River to the J.C. Van Horne bridge at Campbellton. Angling Licences Angling licences issued by Quebec or New Brunswick are legally recognized on all common boundary waters of the Restigouche drainage upstream of the J.C. Van Horne Bridge at Campbellton. The tidal water boundary recognized by New Brunswick on the Restigouche River is a line between Copeland Brook (NB) to Ruisseau du Moulin (Quebec). However, all anglers fishing the Quebec portion of the waters upstream of the J.C. VanHorne Bridge at Campbellton to this line must have a valid NB or Quebec Angling licence. Legal Fishing Hours on the Restigouche and Patapedia Rivers boundary waters are from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Atlantic Salmon At the time this book was printed, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) could not confirm changes to Atlantic salmon angling for 2015 (quota reductions and barbless fly requirement). Please consult DFO s website Recreational-Fisheries or the online version of this book at for updates. Open season Non-boundary waters Boundary waters between NB and Quebec Spring May 1 31 April 15 May 31 (Restigouche River only) Summer June 1 August 31 June 1 August 31 Fall September 1 30 Live release September 1 30 Live release Limits Daily Bag Limit Live Release Limit Daily Bag Limit Live Release Limit Spring Summer Fall Minimum size (FL) 35 cm 35 cm Maximum size (FL) Less than 63 cm Less than 63 cm Possession

18 Atlantic Salmon Seasons Restigouche Drainage Includes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River Spring Kelt Bright retention Live release only Gounamitz N/A June 1 August 31 September 1 30 Kedgwick N/A Little Main Restigouche* May 1 31 Main Restigouche boundary waters April 15 May 31 Main Restigouche non-boundary waters May 1 31 North Kedgwick N/A Northwest Upsalquitch N/A Patapedia N/A Southeast Upsalquitch N/A Upsalquitch N/A * upstream to Cedar Brook Trout Open season Non-Boundary waters Boundary waters between N.B. and Quebec Rivers, brooks and streams May 1 September 15 Patapedia River...June 3 September 15 Restigouche River from: Patapedia River downstream to Matapedia CN Railway Bridge..April 15 Sept. 30 Matapedia CN Railway Bridge to the J.C. Van Horne Bridge...April 15 Oct. 31 Lakes, ponds and reservoirs May 15 September 15 N/A Daily Bag and Possession Limits Daily bag and possession (Total 5* 5* of: arctic char, brook trout, brown trout, lake trout, or rainbow trout*) Minimum Size Limits (TL) Brook trout 10 cm 10 cm Lake trout 45 cm 45 cm Arctic char, brown trout, rainbow 15 cm 15 cm trout * No more than two lake trout and/or two brown trout Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits Season: Restigouche drainage upstream from the junction of the Main Restigouche River and the Kedgwick River, including all tributaries... May 1 September 30 Daily bag limit: Restigouche drainage upstream from the junction of the Main Restigouche River and the Kedgwick River, including all tributaries (September 1 30)... 0 Minimum size limit: Brook trout, Gounamitz River, and South Branch Kedgwick River, not including tributaries...25 cm (TL) 16

19 Non-Sport Fish Non-boundary waters Open season: In non-tidal waters, these species may be angled only if a sport fish season is also open on the waters being fished (unless an exception is noted below). Please check the sport fish seasons in this RFA to determine if a season is open. Exception: The season for whitefish ends on September 15 Daily bag and possession, length limits Species Daily Quota Minimum Length Maximum Length Burbot cm TL 100 cm TL Eel cm N/A Gaspereau 20 N/A N/A Shad 5 N/A N/A Smelt 60 N/A N/A Striped bass Seasons and bag limits to be determined. For further details see DFO website: White perch cm TL 50 cm TL Whitefish 8 10 cm TL 70 cm TL Yellow perch cm TL 50 cm TL Smelt SMELT Angling or dip netting Open Season Non-boundary waters Boundary waters between N.B. and Quebec April 15 May 31 April 15 May 31 Daily bag/possession limit Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits Restigouche River, upstream of a reference point at a straight line from Copeland Brook (NB) to Ruisseau du Moulin (Quebec)... Smelt season closed No bag or length restrictions exist for any other non-sport fish found in this RFA. 17

20 Chaleur Recreational Fishery Area Boundary description: All lakes, rivers, and streams draining into the Bay of Chaleur seaward of the J.C. Van Horne Bridge at Campbellton and all waters draining into the Gulf of St. Lawrence north of Tabusintac Bay. Fly Fishing Only Waters Excludes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River Beginning Stretch Big Tracadie April After September 15 Comeau April After September Big Tracadie River, upstream of a line drawn from N W to N W Comeau River, upstream of a line drawn from N W to N W Jacquet July 1 Jacquet River, from Route 134 (old Route 11) bridge upstream to the head of Kettle Hole Pool Leech April After September 15 Little Tracadie April After September 15 Leech River, upstream of a line drawn from N W to N W Little Tracadie River, upstream of the Route 11 Bridge ( N W to N W Nepisiguit June 1 Nepisiguit River, from the Route 11 bridge at Bathurst upstream to Nepisiguit Falls Nigadoo July 15 Nigadoo River, upstream from Route 134 bridge to a line drawn from N W to N W (including Haché Pool) Pokemouche April After September 15 Pokemouche River, upstream of Route 113 Bridge Portage April After September 15 Portage River, upstream of a line drawn from N W to N W Southwest Caraquet July 15 Southwest Caraquet River, from the Route 11 bridge upstream to Innishannon Brook Waters Closed to Angling Water Stretch Closed Tributaries to All brooks flowing into Nepisiguit Lake, Northumberland County Year round Nepisiguit Lakes Nepisiguit River Nepisiguit River from the head of Pabineau Falls Pool downstream 45 metres Year round Nepisiguit River Nepisiguit River within 100 metres of the Nepisiguit counting fence Year round Nepisiguit River Nepisiguit River from its junction with the Big South Nepisiguit downstream to, but not including, White Birch Pool Year round Nepisiguit River Nepisiguit River Nepisiguit River from and including White Birch Pool downstream to and including Elbow Pool Nepisiguit River from but not including Elbow Pool downstream to Indian Falls Brook April 15 July 14 August 16 Sept. 15 Year round

21 Atlantic Salmon At the time this book was printed, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) could not confirm changes to Atlantic salmon angling for 2015 (quota reductions and barbless fly requirement). Please consult DFO s website Recreational-Fisheries or the online version of this book at for updates. Open season...april 15 October 29 Season bag limit... 4 Daily bag limit... 1 Possession limit... 4 Maximum size limit, grilse retention only...less than 63 cm (FL) Daily live release limit... 4 Spring salmon (kelt) angling Season:...April 15 May 15 Daily live release limit (unless daily bag limit is reached)...10 Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits Daily bag limit: Nepisiguit River daily grilse retention... 1 Atlantic Salmon Seasons Chaleur Drainage Includes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River Spring kelt Bright retention Live release only Bass April 15 May 15 May 16 October 22 N/A Benjamin April 15 May 15 May 16 October 22 N/A Caraquet April 15 May 15 May 16 October 15 N/A Charlo April 15 May 15 May 16 October 22 N/A Eel April 15 May 15 May 16 October 22 N/A Jacquet upstream of Halfway Pool N/A June 1 October 15 N/A Jacquet from and including Halfway Pool April 15 May 15 May 16 October 22 N/A downstream to mouth Little April 15 May 15 May 16 October 15 N/A Little Tracadie April 15 May 15 May 16 October 15 N/A Middle April 15 May 15 May 16 October 22 N/A Millstream April 15 May 15 May 16 October 15 October Nepisiguit from Nepisiguit Falls downstream N/A June 1 September 30 October 1 22 to mouth Nigadoo April 15 May 15 May 16 October 22 N/A Pokemouche April 15 May 15 May 16 October 15 N/A South Caraquet April 15 May 15 May 16 October 29 N/A Tetagouche April 15 May 15 May 16 October 22 N/A Tracadie below Lord & Foy April 15 May 15 May 16 October 29 N/A Tracadie upstream of Lord & Foy N/A June 1 October 15 N/A 19

22 Landlocked Salmon Open season... May 15 September 30 Daily bag and possession limit... 2 Minimum size limit...35 cm (FL) Maximum size limit...less than 63 cm (FL) Any landlocked salmon equal to or greater than 48 centimetres and less than 63 centimetres fork length requires an Atlantic salmon tag if it is retained. Trout Open season Rivers, brooks and streams May 1 September 15 Lakes, ponds and reservoirs May 15 September 15 Daily bag and possession limit Total of: arctic char, brook trout, brown trout or rainbow trout 5* Minimum Size Limits (TL) Brook trout 10 cm Arctic char, brown trout, rainbow trout 15 cm * No more than two brown trout. Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits Nepisiguit (Bathurst) Lake... Live release only Nepisiguit Lakes thoroughfares connecting the chain of four lakes...open May 15 Non-Sport Fish Open season: In non-tidal waters, these species may be angled only if a sport fish season is also open on the waters being fished (unless an exception is noted below). Please check the sport fish seasons in this RFA to determine if a season is open. Exceptions: The season for smelt ends on May 31. The season for whitefish ends on September 15. Daily bag and possession, length limits Species Daily Quota Minimum Length Maximum Length Burbot cm TL 100 cm TL Eel cm N/A Gaspereau 20 N/A N/A Shad 5 N/A N/A Smelt 60 N/A N/A Striped bass Seasons and bag limits to be determined for further details see DFO website: White perch cm TL 50 cm TL Whitefish 8 10 cm TL 70 cm TL Yellow perch cm TL 50 cm TL No bag or length restrictions exist for any other non-sport fish found in this RFA. 20

23 Miramichi Recreational Fishery Area Boundary description: All lakes, rivers and streams draining into Tabusintac Bay and all waters draining into Miramichi Bay north of Point Escuminac. Attention anglers: Some stretches on the Miramichi River are private or leased waters. Permission from the owner/lessee is required to angle on these waters. Fly Fishing Only Waters Excludes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River Beginning Stretch Bartholomew April 15 Bartholomew River from its confluence with the Main Southwest Miramichi River upstream to the Route 8 bridge Bartholomew April 15 May 15, June 1 Bartibog April 15 30, After September 15 Bartholomew River, from the Route 8 bridge upstream to Leadbetter Brook Bartibog River from the Route 11 bridge upstream to the junction with the South Branch and Middle Branch, Bartibog Rivers Beadle Brook April 15 Beadle Brook from its junction with North Branch Southwest Miramichi River upstream to the junction of the North and South Branches Big Sevogle April 15 May 15, June 1 Big Sevogle River from its junction with the Northwest Miramichi River upstream to its source, including the North Branch and the South Branch Burnthill Brook April 15 Burnthill Brook, from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River upstream to its source Cains April 15 Cains River from its junction with the Southwest Miramichi River upstream to Beaver Brook Clearwater April 15 Brook Dungarvon April 15 May 15, June 1 Fifteen Mile April 15 Brook Little Southwest April 15 Miramichi Main Southwest Miramichi April 15 Clearwater Brook, from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River upstream to its source Dungarvon River from its junction with the Renous River upstream to the Salmon protection barrier (0.8 km downstream of Stone Brook) Fifteen Mile Brook, from its confluence with the North Branch Southwest Miramichi River upstream to its source Little Southwest Miramichi River, from its junction with the Northwest Miramichi River upstream to its source, including the North Pole Stream and the Lower North Branch Little Southwest Miramichi River. Main Southwest Miramichi River upstream from a line drawn at the mouth of Doyles Brook from grid reference to grid reference , Northumberland County, to the junction of the North Branch Southwest Miramichi River and South Branch Southwest Miramichi River, Carleton County McKeil Brook April 15 McKeil Brook, from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River upstream to its source North Branch Renous April 15 May 15, June 1 North Branch Renous River from its junction with the Renous River upstream to North Renous Lake 21

24 River Beginning Stretch North Branch Southwest Miramichi April 15 North Branch Southwest Miramichi River from its junction with the Southwest Miramichi River upstream to its source, including all tributaries Northwest Miramichi April 15 Northwest Miramichi River from the Red Bank/Sunny Corner Bridge upstream to a point 200 metres upstream of the junction of the Northwest Miramichi River and the South Branch Northwest Miramichi River Renous April 15 Renous River from its junction with the Main Southwest Miramichi River upstream to the Route 8 bridge Renous April 15 May 15, June 1 Renous River from the Route 8 bridge upstream to its source, the junction of the North and South Branches in Northumberland County Rocky Brook April 15 Rocky Brook, from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River upstream to its source South Branch Southwest Miramichi South Branch Renous April 15 April 15 May 15, June 1 Tabusintac April 15 May 15, After September 15 Tabusintac April 15 May 15, After September 15 Tabusintac April 15 May 15, June 1 South Branch Southwest Miramichi River upstream to the Route 107 bridge at Foreston, Carleton County. South Branch Renous River from its junction with the Renous River upstream to Route 108 Tabusintac River from Route 11 Bridge upstream to a line drawn directly across the river at Stilson Brook (Grid Reference to , Old Boom Landing Road) Tabusintac River from a line drawn directly across the river at Stilson Brook (Grid Reference to , Old Boom Landing Road) upstream to a line drawn directly across the river at Becks Brook (Grid Reference ) Tabusintac River from a line drawn directly across the river at Becks Brook (Grid Reference to ) to its source West Brook April 15 West Brook, from its confluence with the North Branch Southwest Miramichi River upstream to the CN railway crossing Waters Closed to Angling Water Stretch Closed Cains River Dungarvon River First and Second Lakes Little Bartibog River Cains River from the river ford located approximately three-quarters of a kilometer above the Hopewell Lodge upstream to the mouth of Lower Otter Brook Dungarvon River from 100 meters below the DNR Salmon Protection Barrier upstream to its source, including all tributaries First and Second Lakes, North Esk Parish, Northumberland County All waters of Little Bartibog River, Northumberland County, from 25 metres downstream to 25 metres upstream of the Russellville bridge Closed prior to Live Release Crown Reserve period (June 1 September 15) Year round Year round Year round 22

25 Water Stretch Closed Lower North Branch Little Southwest Miramichi Main Southwest Miramichi River Main Southwest Miramichi River North Branch Main Southwest Miramichi North Pole Stream North Pole Stream Northwest Miramichi River Northwest Miramichi River Northwest Miramichi River Stewart Brook- Northwest Miramichi River Lower North Branch Little Southwest Miramichi from and including Rocky Rapids Pool upstream to its source, including all tributaries Main Southwest Miramichi River from a point 300 metres upstream from the Quarryville bridge, to a point 300 metres downstream from said bridge, including Indiantown Brook from its junction upstream to Route 108 The north side of the Main Southwest Miramichi River to a point 100 metres off shore, from a point 100 metres upstream to a point 100 metres downstream of the mouth of Wilson Brook, and the waters of Wilson Brook upstream 100 metres from its junction with the Main Southwest Miramichi River, an area known locally as the Bear Den North Branch Main Southwest Miramichi River upstream from the Bridge Pool to its source, not including tributaries North Pole Stream from the junction of Lizard Brook upstream to its sources in Northumberland County, not including tributaries North Pole Stream from its junction with the Little Southwest Miramichi River upstream to the junction with Lizard Brook, not including tributaries Headwaters of the Northwest Miramichi River from a point 200 meters upstream of its junction with the South Branch Northwest Miramichi River, including all tributaries Waters of Northwest Miramichi River 100 metres upstream to 100 metres downstream from the mouth of Sutherland Brook and Sutherland Brook from its junction with the Northwest Miramichi River upstream to the Route 420 bridge Within 100 metres of the Route 430 bridge(locally known as Miner s Bridge) From its junction with the Northwest Miramichi River upstream to a point 90 metres above the Miramichi Salmonid Enhancement Centre water supply dam Closed outside Live Release Crown Reserve period (June 1 September 15) Closed after June 30 Closed after June 30 Closed after June 30 Year round Closed outside Live Release Crown Reserve period (July 1 September 15) Year round Closed after June 30 Year round Year round In-season pool closures in the Miramichi River system There is an overall concern for the status of Atlantic salmon under stressful conditions associated with exceptional climatic events. To reduce the impact of fishing on Atlantic salmon, a protocol to close certain salmon holding pools in the Miramichi River during stressful warm water conditions has been developed using science-based advice. For more information on these conservation measures, please refer to DFO Gulf Region s Recreational Fisheries webpage: 23